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VFSNX vs. VBIAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

VFSNX vs. VBIAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX).

VFSNX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 2, 2009. VBIAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.

Performance

VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VFSNX
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares		-1.08%29.97%2.63%15.18%-21.26%12.74%11.92%21.72%-18.46%30.30%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares		-4.19%13.61%14.58%17.54%-16.90%14.21%16.40%21.78%-2.86%13.89%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSNX achieves a -1.08% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's -4.19% return. Over the past 10 years, VFSNX has underperformed VBIAX with an annualized return of 7.33%, while VBIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.77% annualized return.

VFSNX

1D
-0.56%
1M
-11.47%
YTD
-1.08%
6M
1.46%
1Y
26.81%
3Y*
12.77%
5Y*
5.20%
10Y*
7.33%

VBIAX

1D
-0.06%
1M
-5.43%
YTD
-4.19%
6M
-2.40%
1Y
10.89%
3Y*
11.56%
5Y*
6.33%
10Y*
8.77%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VFSNX:
VFSNX vs. VOOVFSNX vs. VXUSVFSNX vs. FZILXVFSNX vs. VTSAXVFSNX vs. VTVFSNX vs. SPYVFSNX vs. ARTJX
Often compared with VBIAX:
VBIAX vs. VWELXVBIAX vs. FBALXVBIAX vs. VFIAXVBIAX vs. VSMGXVBIAX vs. VWIAXVBIAX vs. VOOVBIAX vs. VBAIX

VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSNX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

VFSNX
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares

Return for Risk

VFSNX vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VFSNX
VFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
VFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
VFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
VBIAX
VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

VFSNXVBIAXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.78

1.01

+0.77

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

2.29

1.51

+0.79

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.22

+0.13

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

2.09

1.31

+0.78

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

8.39

6.22

+2.17

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is higher than the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSNX and VBIAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VFSNXVBIAXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.78

1.01

+0.77

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.35

0.58

-0.23

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.47

0.79

-0.32

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.55

0.60

-0.05

Correlation

The correlation between VFSNX and VBIAX is 0.78, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

VFSNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, less than VBIAX's 5.84% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VFSNX
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares		3.40%3.36%3.41%3.11%2.26%2.70%1.90%3.25%2.81%2.85%2.93%2.69%
VBIAX
Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares		5.84%6.00%5.27%4.35%2.83%3.19%2.65%2.28%2.32%1.95%2.09%2.09%

Drawdowns

VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSNX drawdown since its inception was -43.65%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSNX and VBIAX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VFSNXVBIAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-43.65%

-35.90%

-7.75%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.47%

-7.78%

-3.69%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.75%

-21.53%

-12.22%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-43.65%

-22.78%

-20.87%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.47%

-5.83%

-5.64%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.56%

-4.47%

-5.09%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.86%

1.64%

+1.22%

Volatility

VFSNX vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) has a higher volatility of 6.02% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 3.07%. This indicates that VFSNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VFSNXVBIAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.02%

3.07%

+2.95%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.85%

5.93%

+3.92%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.43%

11.27%

+3.16%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.85%

11.02%

+3.83%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.66%

11.17%

+4.49%